Authorities: Griffin police officer shot, killed at Waffle House

SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. - GBI is investigating the fatal shooting of a Griffin police officer gunned down at a Waffle House Saturday morning.

Three suspects are in custody after the shooting that happened at the Waffle House at U.S. 19/41 around 2:30 a.m.

Police said 43-year-old Griffin Police Officer Kevin Jordan, a four-year veteran of the force and father of seven, was shot and killed.

The incident started when Jordan, who was working an off-duty security job, removed three drunken and disruptive customers from inside. Police said Chantell Mixon, 28, put up a fight in the parking lot while Jordan tried to arrest her. Police said Mixon's boyfriend, 30-year-old Michael Dwayne Bowman, pulled out a gun and shot Jordan at least three times.

"As he was on the ground trying to cuff her, one of the males who was with her apparently brandished a firearm and shot (Jordan) three times in the back," said Griffin Police Officer Mike Richardson.

Police said the bullets may have struck him in the shoulder area. Jordan was wearing bullet-proof vest at the time of the shooting, police confirmed.

Jordan's brother, who had come to the Waffle House to meet with him, witnessed the confrontation and opened fire, hitting Bowman, according to police. Raymond Jordan is a civilian but had a permit to carry a gun, police said.

“My only regret, I don't want to be bitter. My only regret, I didn't kill him,” said Raymond Jordan.

Bowman's aunt said she was devastated by the deadly shooting that took Jordan's life.

"That's somebody’s son; daddy. I mean, I don’t even know what to feel. I'm so sorry for that famly," Darlene Buhlinger told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach.

Bowman was taken to a hospital in critical, but stable condition. The third suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Tyler Taylor.

Griffin police released a statement:

The Griffin Police Department is deeply saddened to announce the shooting death of one of our own, Officer Kevin Jordan. During the early morning hours of May 31, 2014 Officer Jordan was working a security detail at the Waffle House located at 1702 N. Expressway, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. At approximately 2:20 a.m. three subjects, two males and a female entered the Waffle House and began causing a disturbance. As result of the disturbance the subjects, identified as Michael Bowman, Tyler Taylor, and Chantell Mixon, were asked to leave the restaurant. A verbal altercation ensued that lead to the parking lot. While in the parking lot Officer Jordan attempted to place Chantell Mixon under arrest when a physical altercation occurred. While Officer Jordan was on the ground attempting to place Mixon in handcuffs he was maliciously shot in the back multiple times by Michael Bowman.

During the incident the suspect, Michael Bowman, was shot by the brother of Officer Jordan, Raymond Jordan, who was in the parking lot at the time of the incident. Raymond Jordan has a valid Georgia gun permit and was armed at the time of the incident. Shortly after the shooting several Officers from the Griffin Police Department and the Spalding County Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene. Both Officer Jordan and Bowman were transported to Spalding Regional Medical Center where Officer Jordan was shortly thereafter pronounced dead. Bowman was transported to Atlanta Medical Center where he currently is listed in critical condition. The ongoing investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

Officer Jordan had been with the Griffin Police Department for four years and was much respected amongst his peers and within the community. This is a tragic loss for the Jordan Family, our Police Department family and the City of Griffin. We are deeply saddened by these

events and send our condolences to the family of Officer Jordan. We request that you keep the Jordan family in your prayers and thoughts as well as our local Law Enforcement community.